Developmental Milestones
Childhood is a time of tremendous growth and learning. How very exciting to be a baby…or a two-year-old… or get on a school bus for the first time. There’s so much to know!
We all come into the world like small waiting sponges, ready to absorb what’s around us. Yet we’re all different, too—another of life’s little marvels. We also develop at different rates. Some children speed along, practically running before they walk. Others take their time–or need more time. And still others may ultimately need four wheels to get around.
But what’s “on time?” What’s “normal?” Does “normal” have a range?
Yes, “normal” has a range. Growth does tend to follow a certain sequence. Skills are expected to emerge at more or less the ages described below. Here are just a few of many milestones a typically developing child reaches in the first year of life and beyond.
By 3 months
By 6 months
By 12 months
Older than 12 months
By 3 months of age: Motor Skills
lift head when held at your shoulder
lift head and chest when lying on his stomach
turn head from side to side when lying on his stomach follow a moving object or person with his eyes
grasp rattle when given to her
wiggle and kick with arms and legs
Sensory and Thinking Skills
turn head toward bright colors and lights turn toward the sound of a human voice recognize bottle or breast
respond to your shaking a rattle or bell Language and Social Skills
make cooing, gurgling sounds
smile when smiled at
communicate hunger, fear, discomfort (through crying or facial expression) usually quiet down at the sound of a soothing voice or when held
—-
By 6 months of age: Motor Skills
hold head steady when sitting with your help reach for and grasp objects
play with his toes
help hold the bottle during feeding
explore by mouthing and banging objects
move toys from one hand to another
pull up to a sitting position on her own if you grasp her hands sit with only a little support
roll over
bounce when held in a standing position
Sensory and Thinking Skills
open his mouth for the spoon imitate familiar actions you perform Language and Social Skills
babble, making almost sing-song sounds know familiar faces
laugh and squeal with delight
scream if annoyed
smile at herself in a mirror —-
By 12 months of age: Motor Skills
drink from a cup with help
feed herself finger food like raisinsgrasp small objects by using her thumb and index or forefinger
use his first finger to poke or point
put small blocks in and take them out of a container
knock two blocks together
sit well without support
crawl on hands and knees
pull himself to stand or take steps holding onto furniture
stand alone momentarily
walk with one hand held
Sensory and Thinking Skills
copy sounds and actions you make
respond to music with body motion
try to accomplish simple goals (seeing and then crawling to a toy)
look for an object she watched fall out of sight (such as a spoon that falls under the table) Language and Social Skills
babble, but it sometimes “sounds like” talking say his first word
recognize family members’ names
try to “talk” with you
respond to another’s distress by showing distress or crying show affection to familiar adults
show apprehension about strangers
raise her arms when she wants to be picked up understand simple commands